Meet Jeff Holland, the sack artist ready to crash the 2018 NFL draft

The 2018 NFL draft doesn’t have the strongest class of edge defenders we’ve seen in recent memory, but there are still some productive prospects who could make an immediate and sizable impact at the next level.

One such player is Auburn’s Jeff Holland, who logged double-digit sacks for the SEC West champs in 2017.

Holland recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his go-to pass-rushing plan, why his film should overshadow any predraft workout numbers, and the great debate over the hot dog as a sandwich.

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JM: How do you look back on your combine experience?

JH: It was great. I had a lot of fun out there. Growing up, I always watched the combine on television. Being there was a great experience.

JM: Which of your results do you think is most likely to improve your draft stock?

JH: I would have to say my film actually. I’m telling everyone to watch the film. That’s what’s gonna boost my draft stock. I did pretty good in the broad jump. I thought I ran the 40 well. It could have been a little faster, but it was solid overall. I can’t look back on it now. I’m just ready to put the pads on and play football again.

JM: Did you meet with a lot of teams down there?

JH: I met with a great deal of teams. It was probably every team, actually.

JM: Do you have any private visits or workouts scheduled?

JH: Yeah, I have a few scheduled. There’s about four in total.

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JM: Let’s talk about your pass rush arsenal a little bit. Do you have a favorite move?

JH: Not really. I watch a lot of film on the offensive tackle I’ll be going up against. I’ll watch a whole bunch of his film throughout the week. I watch how he plays, his stance, his nuances and what not. I know I can get a move on him. I do like using my speed sweep move, double-hand swipe.

JM: Say that initial move is stopped, how do you counter?

JH: I can come back in and counter with a long-arm move. I like to stick that long arm in there. I can push him back into the quarterback’s lap.

JM: Do you see yourself as a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB?

JH: I don’t mind playing either position. I can play in any scheme. I think I have a little more production when I play from the two-point stance. Whatever a team needs, whatever I can do to come in and help, I’ll be happy to do it. I’ll play anything they need me to. I’m comfortable playing in coverage as well.

JM: Playing at a program like Auburn, you faced the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some offensive tackles that stood out?

JH: Isaiah Wynn from Georgia was really good. Jonah Williams is a young guy from Alabama, he’s a pretty good tackle. He’s an athletic guy. I played against Cam Robinson when he was at Alabama. He was really good.

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JM: Is there a quarterback you’re excited to sack at the next level?

JH: I want Lamar Jackson. I need to get him!

JM: Everyone always says Tom Brady, but you’re going with a QB in the same draft class as you.

JH: I want Lamar Jackson, man. Me and him talk, we’ve been going back and forth. I already told him I’m gonna get him. I played against him during my freshman year and on my first play, I just missed a sack on him. I still remember that missed sack. I gotta get him back. I wouldn’t mind sacking Tom Brady, either. I just wanna sack an NFL quarterback, period.

JM: If you had to pick one teammate to take into battle with you, who are you bringing and why?

JH: I would probably bring Kerryon Johnson. He’s gonna go out there and do his thing. I’m bringing my whole team with me. You can’t make me pick just one guy. I’m not showing up to war only two deep. I’m bringing my whole team. We’re coming to war together.

JM: Do you think a hot dog is a sandwich?

JH: Absolutely. It’s a piece of meat between bread. There’s two sides to it.

JM: There’s no way.

JH: It is a sandwich. There’s two sides to it man!

JM: I may disagree, but I love how passionate you are about it. When a team drafts Jeff Holland, what kind of guy are they getting?

JH: They’re gonna get a good, passionate football player. They’re gonna get a guy who’s gonna come to work every day. I’m somebody who loves the game of football. I’m gonna come in and help the guys around me.